Oklahoma Food Security Committee 2009 report

H 3000.3 F686s 2009 c.l
Oklahoma Food Security Committee
2009 Report
Submitted December 31,2009
The committee was established with the following members being appointed:
Rodney Bivens, Chair
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Kathie Wright, Vice-Chair
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Dee Baker
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Nancy Eggen
Bread for the World
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Lynn Mitchell
Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Kevin Pipes
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Rhonda Harding-Hill
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jim Home
The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Poteau, Oklahoma
Ben Johnson
AARP
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Traci Lundy
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Rick Maloney
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jacki Millspaugh
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Sara Waggoner
Community Food Bank of Eastern
Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Steve Whitaker
John 3: 16 Mission
Tulsa, Oklahoma
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hunger and food insecurity are real problems for Oklahoma families. Statewide, approximately 494,900
people live in households that are food insecure, meaning that they lack consistent access to adequate
amounts of nutritious food.i In total, 14 percent of households in our state are food insecure, placing
Oklahoma among the worst states for food insecurity. ii
The threat of hunger is especially prevalent among our most vulnerable populations. In Oklahoma, one in
every five children is at risk of hunger." Inadequate nutrition threatens children's health, growth and
capacity to learn. Consequently, the challenges children are faced with today impact their ability to
achieve their full potential tomorrow. Seniors are also at a high risk of hunger, due to their special needs.
All too often our seniors are forced to make difficult choices, such as buying food or paying for
prescription drugs or medical care.
Due to current economic challenges, an unprecedented number of Oklahomans have been turning to food
assistance programs and services. The number of Oklahomans participating in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the federal Food Stamp Program, has significantly
increased. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has reported that more than 500 individuals are
being added to the program every day." Across Oklahoma, emergency food programs are also seeing an
increase in need. Food pantries and soup kitchens statewide report more than a 30 percent increase in the
number of clients coming through their doors."
At the same time that an increasing number of Oklahomans are seeking assistance, the State is facing
severe budget shortfalls and the need to reduce expenditures. As a result, state agencies have been
required to reduce staff and scale back or eliminate core assistance programs. In upcoming months, state
policymakers will be challenged to make tough choices as they look for ways to balance the budget and
still provide essential services.
In Oklahoma, the costs of food insecurity impact society through a variety of channels. The Oklahoma
Food Security Committee was formed in an effort to catalyze both the private and public sectors to create
a comprehensive approach to reducing food insecurity and improving nutrition in our state. Throughout
the next year, the committee will continue working towards the overall goal of reducing Oklahoma's food
insecurity to the national average by 2013. In spring of 2010, the committee will publish a
comprehensive report on the state of food insecurity in Oklahoma and what measures can be taken to
further fight hunger.
1
INTRODUCTION
The Oklahoma Food Security Committee was created in 2008 by an Act of the Oklahoma State
Legislature, House Bill 2833, and became effective on July 1, 2008 (see Appendix A). The committee
held meetings on April 16, 2009, May 28, 2009, June 23, 2009, September 11,2009, November 13, 2009,
and December 11, 2009.
The establishing legislation includes a provision for the existence of the committee until December 31,
2012.
The committee voted at the September 11, 2009, meeting to form subcommittees in four areas of focus:
child nutrition; senior nutrition; SNAP; and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants and Children (WIC). The committee charged each of the subcommittees with identifying and
working toward future objectives within their areas of focus. The subcommittees have defined their
objectives as follows:
Child Nutrition:
1. Increase the number of school districts sponsoring a Summer Food Service Program;
2. Develop and implement creative solutions to increase student participation in the School Breakfast
Program; and
3. Reduce costs and administrative difficulties of schools currently offering Summer Food Service
Programs and School Breakfast Programs.
Senior Nutrition:
1. Obtain and distribute material to senior nutrition programs in eastern Oklahoma on how to become
a partner program of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma;
2. Obtain and distribute material on available food and nutrition assistance programs for seniors
statewide;
3. Identify alternate ways to provide food to seniors; and
4. Investigate the option to receive commodities instead of cash for the Title III Nutrition Program.
SNAP:
1. Work with the subcommittee on senior nutrition to distribute SNAP outreach material to seniors;
2. Strengthen collaboration with Oklahoma farmers' market vendors; and
3. Explore methods and opportunities to increase Oklahoma's SNAP participation rate.
WIC:
1. Investigate outreach opportunities regarding Oklahoma breastfeeding legislation;
2. Explore opportunities to strengthen WIC Service's collaboration with Oklahoma farmers'
markets;
3. Identify ways to generate awareness of the relationship between nutrition status and food
insecurity; and
4. Obtain and distribute material to WIC program clinics on local food bank partner programs.
2
FINDINGS
In 2007, an estimated 806,661 Oklahomans lived at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.vi
After accounting for individuals' ability to provide food for themselves, Oklahoma's estimated annual
food need is almost 603.3 million pounds of food. vii Federal and private food expenditures in Oklahoma
equaled almost 432.8 million pounds of food. viii The committee refers to the resulting difference of 170.5
million pounds of food as the "Oklahoma Unmet Needs Gap." This gap illustrates that 170.5 million
pounds of food are still needed each year in Oklahoma to ensure that all low-income individuals and
families have three nutritious meals a day.
Oklahoma Unmet Needs Gap - 2007
Assumptions:
• 806,661 Oklahomans living at or below 130% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
• 1A02 Ibs/Oklahoman annually (1.28 Ibs/meal x 3 meals/day x 365 days/year)
• 527.7M Ibs of food purchased by Oklahomans living at or below 130% FPL
• Annual total need is 603.3M Ibs/year to assist those living at or below 130% FPL
Food Sources
II
I:
170.SM
( )
IIIIII
GAP
I
432.8M 603.3M
r~-~~.~~~:-::~~~
. .
f_~ •.• :...~~~., ~ >_
Emergency Food Sources, 44.5M
WI(, 33M
Senior Nutrition Programs, 8M
Child Nutrition Programs, 130.3M
Food Distribution Program on SNAP, 198.3M
Indian Reservations, 18.6M
o Pounds of Food
3
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Increase Participation in Underutilized Federal Food Programs
Goal: Increase public knowledge of criteria and benefits of USDA-FNS food
assistance programs
Progress: All subcommittees are working to expand access to federal food programs through
educational outreach and collaboration among existing programs.
Goal: Increase the number of frontline workers for SNAP
Progress: The subcommittee on SNAP will be identifying opportunities to simplify program
rules and processes and implement automations to assist the program with increased
caseload.
Goal: Launch pilot programs to explore ways to increase participation in the School
Breakfast Program
Progress: The subcommittee on child nutntion IS working to combine efforts among
government agencies, schools and other organizations to improve the availability of
and participation in child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast
Program.
Goal: Explore methods to increase participation in the Summer Food Service
Program
Progress: The subcommittee on child nutntion is working to combine efforts among
government agencies, schools and other organizations to improve the availability of
and participation in child nutrition programs, including the Summer Food Service
Program.
Goal: Advocate for providing a variety of nutritious food options
Progress: All subcommittees are collaborating to identify educational opportunities to help
low-income individuals acquire knowledge and skills to improve their nutritional
well-being on a limited budget.
4
2. Increase the Capacity of the Private Charitable Emergency Food Network
3. Increase Family Economic Stability
Goal: Secure funding to increase the capacity of Oklahoma's food bank system
Progress: The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma's distribution in fiscal year 2009 increased
15 percent from fiscal year 2008. The food bank's distribution for the first five
months of fiscal year 2010 has increased 22 percent, or 1.8 million pounds,
compared to the same time last year. If this trend continues, the food bank is on
track to distribute more than 32 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2010.
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma's distribution in fiscal year 2009
increased 52 percent from fiscal year 2008. The food bank's distribution for the
first five months of fiscal year 2010 has increased 14 percent, or 726,000 pounds,
compared to the same time last year.
Goal: Strengthen Oklahoma's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program
Progress: This goal will be addressed in 2010.
Goal: Strengthen Oklahoma's Sales Tax Relief Credit
Progress: This goal will be addressed in 2010.
4. Strengthen Community Food Security
Goal: Create a Food Security Council
Progress: On recommendation by the Oklahoma Task Force on Hunger, the Oklahoma Food
Security Committee was created in 2008 by the Oklahoma State Legislature. The
committee is charged with overseeing the development and completion of the task
force's recommendations.
The committee has played a key role in monitoring the progress of Oklahoma's
anti-hunger initiatives and setting benchmarks for performance.
Goal: Collect and compile detailed county and community data relating to food
security issues
Progress: All subcommittees are compiling information on available services and programs
that provide food assistance in Oklahoma. This information will used to identify
gaps in resources available.
5
All subcommittees are compiling participation data for each area of focus. The data
provided from the subcommittees will be used to determine the need for further
outreach in particular Oklahoma counties.
Goal: Explore ways to support community food security initiatives in Oklahoma's
communities
Progress: The subcommittees on WIC, senior nutrition and SNAP will be working to identify
opportunities to strengthen federal food programs' collaboration with farmers'
markets.
6
APPENDIX A: RELEVANT LEGISLATION
ENROLLED HOUSE
BIL •..N.O, 2833 By: Steele, BigHorse, Brannon,
Coll'ns, Hosk'n, Kiesel,
McMullen, Pittman, Sherrer
and Shelton of the House
and
Rice, Williamson, Bur age,
Garrison and Johnson
(Constance) of the Senate
_____ An Act relating to poor pe sons; amend'ng Section 1,
Chapter 95, O,S.L. 2007 (56 O.S. Supp. 2007, Section
245), which relates to the Oklahoma Task Force on
nungeri creating the Oklahoma Food Security Act;
changing the name of the task force to the Oklahoma
Food Security Committee; modifying duties; increasing
membersh~p; requiring anntal repor i providing for
certain partnership to generate funding; providing
dfeoc'lacroidnjgficaantjeomne;rgepncoyv.id'ng an effect've date; and ~ ~
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STAT 0 OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATCRY Section 1, Chapter 95, O.S.L. 2007
(56 O,S. Supp. 2007, Section 245), is amended to read as follows:
Section 245. A. Thl$ act shall be known and maybe cited as
the "Oklahoma ood Securit Act".
B. There is hereby created until Deecfl't193c1f,' 2007, the
Oklahoma TaOlt Force on Hunger Food Secur'ty Committee to continue
unt'l Jecember 31, 2012. The taBlE foree shall consider, but not be
imi.tcd to, making recommendations about the folloHing ur ose of
the Co m':"tteeis to identif:i.!.....lmplemaend monitor ways ~o:
7
3. Strategies
identifying and improve
nutritious food;
vo_ve Involve schools to identify in
st dents' access to sufficient and
&~rategie5 for coordinat~A~ Coordina e se vices among
federal, state, faith-based and nonprofit organizations;
2. S~rategie5 for extending ~x'end ex'sting programs and
outreach efforts to serve more people;
4. Strategies to oonnee~ Connect eligible hungry people with
exls ing programs;
++e'€f:1*flfltefH:li:t-t-;~!TS--rfo&fr-etpab-ii"rli~otvY4'-SEulpepro--ratee&\:H1
securit 'nit'at'ves i.n Oklahoma communities and
roduction on the local level;
6. RecOfflmendationo for funding sou roes to implement the
reeommend~-eftS Encourage the use 0_ home and conununity gardens for
food rod~ction; ttftd
im~lement the findings Of
armers' markets with the
8. Collect and compile detailed county and community data
relating to food security issue;
9. A pi for the S ecial Supplemen al Nutritio. Program for
Women Infants, a d Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers' Market
N trition Programs in Oklahoma;
creativedns ortation methods for connectin at-with
nutritious foods; and
]1. 1"minate sales tax at farmers' markets.
B-:- C. The task force Corru.mitteeshall be composed of fifteen +± seven een Jl2l. members as follows:
1. The Secretary of Health or a designee;
2. The 0" rector of the Department of Human Services or a
designee;
ENR. H. B. NO. 2833 Page 2
8
3. The State Commissioner of Heal h or a designee;
4. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Services or ~ designee;
5. The D' ector of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority 0 a
designee;
6. The State Superintendent of Pub ic Instruction or a
designee;
7. The Secretary of the Ok ahoma Department of Agriculture,
Food, and Forestr or a desi nee;
8. The D' 'ector of the Oklahoma
designee;
~ One member appointed by the Governor from a list submitted
by a nonprofi regiona ood bank 0 gan'za on epresen ing ceo ral
and western Oklahoma;
~ 10. One member appointed by the Governor from a list
submit ed by a nonp of it regional food bank organization
representing eastern Ok ahoma;
~ 11. One member appointed by the Governor from a list
submitted by a statew'de 0 ganizat'on 0 ch' d advocates;
l~~ 12. Two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of
the Senate representing faith-based organizations involved in hunger
programs;
-l-±--;- 13. One member appo'nted by the P es'dent P 0 Tempore rOm
a list submitted by a comprehensive antipoverty agency whose mission
is to help fami les 'n need achieve self-suffic'ency;
t&. 14~ One member appo'nted by the Speaker of he House of
Representatives from a list submitted by a statewide organization
represent'ng senior citizens;
.;...3-. 15. One merrber appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives from ~ lisl s'bmitted by a nonprofit educational
organizat'on that ass'sts in developing sustainable ood and farming
systems; and
~NR. H, B, NO. 2833 Page 3
9
~ 16. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives from a list submitted by a no profit organization
comm tted to effective so utions and key policies which affect
hunger and poverty.
G. D. The mernbe s of the tasl( force Committee shall select a
chair and vice-chair ~rom among its membership. A quorum of the
taslE force Committee shal be required in order for any final act'on
of the task force Committee.
-Ih-E. he task force Comm.ittee may mee as often as may be
requ'red in order to perform the duties imposed upon it.
~ F. The meetings of the task force Committee shall be subject
to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
-&-:- G. Members of he tas!< foree Corom'ttee shall receive no
compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for
reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties by their respective agency pursuant to the
provisions of the State Travel Reirnbursemen Act. Members appointed
by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Represen~at' ves sha l 1 be r ei.mbursed by the
Department of Human Services pursuant to the provisions of the State
Travel Reimbursement Act.
~ ~ Staff support for the task force Committee shall be
provided by the Department of Human Services.
H-. _ The task ':oree Committee shall submit a report of its
findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
by December 31, 2007 of each year.
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new see ion of law 0 be codified
in the Oklahoma S atutes as Section 245.1 of Title 56, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
The Oklahoma Dopa tment 0- Camme ce in conjunct'on w' h the
Oklahoma Food Security Committee shall work with public and privace
partnershjps to secure funding to 'ncrease the capacity of
Oklahoma's food security initiatives.
SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2008.
NR. H. B. NO. 2833 Page 4
10
SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.- --.
R. H. B. NO. 2833 Page 5
11
Passed the House of Representatives the 21st day of May, 2008.
~l).
Presiding Off·c~se of
Representatives
Passed the Senate the 21st day of May, 2008.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
.Re.cei.ove.d .bfyJthe1Governor this 4otr'l- ~.1O~.
aL-Q ::50 O'clOCk:::P M.
B1!7~t\: I -~~--V~~---------
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma the 3~ day of
~[WJ...L......: , 20_<;6, aL-.3'· ~ __" o'clotk ---P M
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Secretary of State thiBIL _
lo\h. day or-Ju...n Q , 20.oK.
at \2.', ~ D . o'clock 1;:::> M,
ENR. H. B. NO. 2833 Page 6
12
SOURCES
i Nord, Mark, Margaret Andrews, and Steven Carlson. Household Food Security in the United
States, 2008. ERR-830, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Econ. Res. ServoNovember 2009.
ii Nord, Mark, Margaret Andrews, and Steven Carlson. Household Food Security in the United
States, 2008. ERR-830, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Econ. Res. ServoNovember 2009.
iii Feeding America, Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2005-2007 (2009).
iv Survey information obtained by the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
v Oklahoma Department of Human Services, 2009 Annual Report (2009).
vi Derived using the Food Research and Action Center's SNAP Calculator available at
www.frac.orgldata.
vii This calculation is based on: (1) the assumption that every person is entitled to 3 meals per
day, 365 days a year; (2) the USDA's calculation of 1.28 pounds as the weight of an average
meal; (3) the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' calculation of $2.33 as the average retail cost of
food per pound; and (4) the USDA's 2006 calculation of $30 as the weekly per person food
expenditure in households at or below 130 percent of FPL, adjusted for inflation to $30.85 for
2007.
viii This analysis was derived from fiscal year 20'07 data on federal food program participation
and private food program distribution.
13

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H 3000.3 F686s 2009 c.l
Oklahoma Food Security Committee
2009 Report
Submitted December 31,2009
The committee was established with the following members being appointed:
Rodney Bivens, Chair
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Kathie Wright, Vice-Chair
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Dee Baker
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Nancy Eggen
Bread for the World
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Lynn Mitchell
Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Kevin Pipes
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Rhonda Harding-Hill
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jim Home
The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Poteau, Oklahoma
Ben Johnson
AARP
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Traci Lundy
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Rick Maloney
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jacki Millspaugh
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Sara Waggoner
Community Food Bank of Eastern
Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Steve Whitaker
John 3: 16 Mission
Tulsa, Oklahoma
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hunger and food insecurity are real problems for Oklahoma families. Statewide, approximately 494,900
people live in households that are food insecure, meaning that they lack consistent access to adequate
amounts of nutritious food.i In total, 14 percent of households in our state are food insecure, placing
Oklahoma among the worst states for food insecurity. ii
The threat of hunger is especially prevalent among our most vulnerable populations. In Oklahoma, one in
every five children is at risk of hunger." Inadequate nutrition threatens children's health, growth and
capacity to learn. Consequently, the challenges children are faced with today impact their ability to
achieve their full potential tomorrow. Seniors are also at a high risk of hunger, due to their special needs.
All too often our seniors are forced to make difficult choices, such as buying food or paying for
prescription drugs or medical care.
Due to current economic challenges, an unprecedented number of Oklahomans have been turning to food
assistance programs and services. The number of Oklahomans participating in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the federal Food Stamp Program, has significantly
increased. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has reported that more than 500 individuals are
being added to the program every day." Across Oklahoma, emergency food programs are also seeing an
increase in need. Food pantries and soup kitchens statewide report more than a 30 percent increase in the
number of clients coming through their doors."
At the same time that an increasing number of Oklahomans are seeking assistance, the State is facing
severe budget shortfalls and the need to reduce expenditures. As a result, state agencies have been
required to reduce staff and scale back or eliminate core assistance programs. In upcoming months, state
policymakers will be challenged to make tough choices as they look for ways to balance the budget and
still provide essential services.
In Oklahoma, the costs of food insecurity impact society through a variety of channels. The Oklahoma
Food Security Committee was formed in an effort to catalyze both the private and public sectors to create
a comprehensive approach to reducing food insecurity and improving nutrition in our state. Throughout
the next year, the committee will continue working towards the overall goal of reducing Oklahoma's food
insecurity to the national average by 2013. In spring of 2010, the committee will publish a
comprehensive report on the state of food insecurity in Oklahoma and what measures can be taken to
further fight hunger.
1
INTRODUCTION
The Oklahoma Food Security Committee was created in 2008 by an Act of the Oklahoma State
Legislature, House Bill 2833, and became effective on July 1, 2008 (see Appendix A). The committee
held meetings on April 16, 2009, May 28, 2009, June 23, 2009, September 11,2009, November 13, 2009,
and December 11, 2009.
The establishing legislation includes a provision for the existence of the committee until December 31,
2012.
The committee voted at the September 11, 2009, meeting to form subcommittees in four areas of focus:
child nutrition; senior nutrition; SNAP; and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants and Children (WIC). The committee charged each of the subcommittees with identifying and
working toward future objectives within their areas of focus. The subcommittees have defined their
objectives as follows:
Child Nutrition:
1. Increase the number of school districts sponsoring a Summer Food Service Program;
2. Develop and implement creative solutions to increase student participation in the School Breakfast
Program; and
3. Reduce costs and administrative difficulties of schools currently offering Summer Food Service
Programs and School Breakfast Programs.
Senior Nutrition:
1. Obtain and distribute material to senior nutrition programs in eastern Oklahoma on how to become
a partner program of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma;
2. Obtain and distribute material on available food and nutrition assistance programs for seniors
statewide;
3. Identify alternate ways to provide food to seniors; and
4. Investigate the option to receive commodities instead of cash for the Title III Nutrition Program.
SNAP:
1. Work with the subcommittee on senior nutrition to distribute SNAP outreach material to seniors;
2. Strengthen collaboration with Oklahoma farmers' market vendors; and
3. Explore methods and opportunities to increase Oklahoma's SNAP participation rate.
WIC:
1. Investigate outreach opportunities regarding Oklahoma breastfeeding legislation;
2. Explore opportunities to strengthen WIC Service's collaboration with Oklahoma farmers'
markets;
3. Identify ways to generate awareness of the relationship between nutrition status and food
insecurity; and
4. Obtain and distribute material to WIC program clinics on local food bank partner programs.
2
FINDINGS
In 2007, an estimated 806,661 Oklahomans lived at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.vi
After accounting for individuals' ability to provide food for themselves, Oklahoma's estimated annual
food need is almost 603.3 million pounds of food. vii Federal and private food expenditures in Oklahoma
equaled almost 432.8 million pounds of food. viii The committee refers to the resulting difference of 170.5
million pounds of food as the "Oklahoma Unmet Needs Gap." This gap illustrates that 170.5 million
pounds of food are still needed each year in Oklahoma to ensure that all low-income individuals and
families have three nutritious meals a day.
Oklahoma Unmet Needs Gap - 2007
Assumptions:
• 806,661 Oklahomans living at or below 130% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
• 1A02 Ibs/Oklahoman annually (1.28 Ibs/meal x 3 meals/day x 365 days/year)
• 527.7M Ibs of food purchased by Oklahomans living at or below 130% FPL
• Annual total need is 603.3M Ibs/year to assist those living at or below 130% FPL
Food Sources
II
I:
170.SM
( )
IIIIII
GAP
I
432.8M 603.3M
r~-~~.~~~:-::~~~
. .
f_~ •.• :...~~~., ~ >_
Emergency Food Sources, 44.5M
WI(, 33M
Senior Nutrition Programs, 8M
Child Nutrition Programs, 130.3M
Food Distribution Program on SNAP, 198.3M
Indian Reservations, 18.6M
o Pounds of Food
3
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Increase Participation in Underutilized Federal Food Programs
Goal: Increase public knowledge of criteria and benefits of USDA-FNS food
assistance programs
Progress: All subcommittees are working to expand access to federal food programs through
educational outreach and collaboration among existing programs.
Goal: Increase the number of frontline workers for SNAP
Progress: The subcommittee on SNAP will be identifying opportunities to simplify program
rules and processes and implement automations to assist the program with increased
caseload.
Goal: Launch pilot programs to explore ways to increase participation in the School
Breakfast Program
Progress: The subcommittee on child nutntion IS working to combine efforts among
government agencies, schools and other organizations to improve the availability of
and participation in child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast
Program.
Goal: Explore methods to increase participation in the Summer Food Service
Program
Progress: The subcommittee on child nutntion is working to combine efforts among
government agencies, schools and other organizations to improve the availability of
and participation in child nutrition programs, including the Summer Food Service
Program.
Goal: Advocate for providing a variety of nutritious food options
Progress: All subcommittees are collaborating to identify educational opportunities to help
low-income individuals acquire knowledge and skills to improve their nutritional
well-being on a limited budget.
4
2. Increase the Capacity of the Private Charitable Emergency Food Network
3. Increase Family Economic Stability
Goal: Secure funding to increase the capacity of Oklahoma's food bank system
Progress: The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma's distribution in fiscal year 2009 increased
15 percent from fiscal year 2008. The food bank's distribution for the first five
months of fiscal year 2010 has increased 22 percent, or 1.8 million pounds,
compared to the same time last year. If this trend continues, the food bank is on
track to distribute more than 32 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2010.
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma's distribution in fiscal year 2009
increased 52 percent from fiscal year 2008. The food bank's distribution for the
first five months of fiscal year 2010 has increased 14 percent, or 726,000 pounds,
compared to the same time last year.
Goal: Strengthen Oklahoma's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program
Progress: This goal will be addressed in 2010.
Goal: Strengthen Oklahoma's Sales Tax Relief Credit
Progress: This goal will be addressed in 2010.
4. Strengthen Community Food Security
Goal: Create a Food Security Council
Progress: On recommendation by the Oklahoma Task Force on Hunger, the Oklahoma Food
Security Committee was created in 2008 by the Oklahoma State Legislature. The
committee is charged with overseeing the development and completion of the task
force's recommendations.
The committee has played a key role in monitoring the progress of Oklahoma's
anti-hunger initiatives and setting benchmarks for performance.
Goal: Collect and compile detailed county and community data relating to food
security issues
Progress: All subcommittees are compiling information on available services and programs
that provide food assistance in Oklahoma. This information will used to identify
gaps in resources available.
5
All subcommittees are compiling participation data for each area of focus. The data
provided from the subcommittees will be used to determine the need for further
outreach in particular Oklahoma counties.
Goal: Explore ways to support community food security initiatives in Oklahoma's
communities
Progress: The subcommittees on WIC, senior nutrition and SNAP will be working to identify
opportunities to strengthen federal food programs' collaboration with farmers'
markets.
6
APPENDIX A: RELEVANT LEGISLATION
ENROLLED HOUSE
BIL •..N.O, 2833 By: Steele, BigHorse, Brannon,
Coll'ns, Hosk'n, Kiesel,
McMullen, Pittman, Sherrer
and Shelton of the House
and
Rice, Williamson, Bur age,
Garrison and Johnson
(Constance) of the Senate
_____ An Act relating to poor pe sons; amend'ng Section 1,
Chapter 95, O,S.L. 2007 (56 O.S. Supp. 2007, Section
245), which relates to the Oklahoma Task Force on
nungeri creating the Oklahoma Food Security Act;
changing the name of the task force to the Oklahoma
Food Security Committee; modifying duties; increasing
membersh~p; requiring anntal repor i providing for
certain partnership to generate funding; providing
dfeoc'lacroidnjgficaantjeomne;rgepncoyv.id'ng an effect've date; and ~ ~
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STAT 0 OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATCRY Section 1, Chapter 95, O.S.L. 2007
(56 O,S. Supp. 2007, Section 245), is amended to read as follows:
Section 245. A. Thl$ act shall be known and maybe cited as
the "Oklahoma ood Securit Act".
B. There is hereby created until Deecfl't193c1f,' 2007, the
Oklahoma TaOlt Force on Hunger Food Secur'ty Committee to continue
unt'l Jecember 31, 2012. The taBlE foree shall consider, but not be
imi.tcd to, making recommendations about the folloHing ur ose of
the Co m':"tteeis to identif:i.!.....lmplemaend monitor ways ~o:
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3. Strategies
identifying and improve
nutritious food;
vo_ve Involve schools to identify in
st dents' access to sufficient and
&~rategie5 for coordinat~A~ Coordina e se vices among
federal, state, faith-based and nonprofit organizations;
2. S~rategie5 for extending ~x'end ex'sting programs and
outreach efforts to serve more people;
4. Strategies to oonnee~ Connect eligible hungry people with
exls ing programs;
++e'€f:1*flfltefH:li:t-t-;~!TS--rfo&fr-etpab-ii"rli~otvY4'-SEulpepro--ratee&\:H1
securit 'nit'at'ves i.n Oklahoma communities and
roduction on the local level;
6. RecOfflmendationo for funding sou roes to implement the
reeommend~-eftS Encourage the use 0_ home and conununity gardens for
food rod~ction; ttftd
im~lement the findings Of
armers' markets with the
8. Collect and compile detailed county and community data
relating to food security issue;
9. A pi for the S ecial Supplemen al Nutritio. Program for
Women Infants, a d Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers' Market
N trition Programs in Oklahoma;
creativedns ortation methods for connectin at-with
nutritious foods; and
]1. 1"minate sales tax at farmers' markets.
B-:- C. The task force Corru.mitteeshall be composed of fifteen +± seven een Jl2l. members as follows:
1. The Secretary of Health or a designee;
2. The 0" rector of the Department of Human Services or a
designee;
ENR. H. B. NO. 2833 Page 2
8
3. The State Commissioner of Heal h or a designee;
4. The Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Services or ~ designee;
5. The D' ector of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority 0 a
designee;
6. The State Superintendent of Pub ic Instruction or a
designee;
7. The Secretary of the Ok ahoma Department of Agriculture,
Food, and Forestr or a desi nee;
8. The D' 'ector of the Oklahoma
designee;
~ One member appointed by the Governor from a list submitted
by a nonprofi regiona ood bank 0 gan'za on epresen ing ceo ral
and western Oklahoma;
~ 10. One member appointed by the Governor from a list
submit ed by a nonp of it regional food bank organization
representing eastern Ok ahoma;
~ 11. One member appointed by the Governor from a list
submitted by a statew'de 0 ganizat'on 0 ch' d advocates;
l~~ 12. Two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of
the Senate representing faith-based organizations involved in hunger
programs;
-l-±--;- 13. One member appo'nted by the P es'dent P 0 Tempore rOm
a list submitted by a comprehensive antipoverty agency whose mission
is to help fami les 'n need achieve self-suffic'ency;
t&. 14~ One member appo'nted by the Speaker of he House of
Representatives from a list submitted by a statewide organization
represent'ng senior citizens;
.;...3-. 15. One merrber appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives from ~ lisl s'bmitted by a nonprofit educational
organizat'on that ass'sts in developing sustainable ood and farming
systems; and
~NR. H, B, NO. 2833 Page 3
9
~ 16. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives from a list submitted by a no profit organization
comm tted to effective so utions and key policies which affect
hunger and poverty.
G. D. The mernbe s of the tasl( force Committee shall select a
chair and vice-chair ~rom among its membership. A quorum of the
taslE force Committee shal be required in order for any final act'on
of the task force Committee.
-Ih-E. he task force Comm.ittee may mee as often as may be
requ'red in order to perform the duties imposed upon it.
~ F. The meetings of the task force Committee shall be subject
to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
-&-:- G. Members of he tas!< foree Corom'ttee shall receive no
compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for
reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties by their respective agency pursuant to the
provisions of the State Travel Reirnbursemen Act. Members appointed
by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Represen~at' ves sha l 1 be r ei.mbursed by the
Department of Human Services pursuant to the provisions of the State
Travel Reimbursement Act.
~ ~ Staff support for the task force Committee shall be
provided by the Department of Human Services.
H-. _ The task ':oree Committee shall submit a report of its
findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
by December 31, 2007 of each year.
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new see ion of law 0 be codified
in the Oklahoma S atutes as Section 245.1 of Title 56, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
The Oklahoma Dopa tment 0- Camme ce in conjunct'on w' h the
Oklahoma Food Security Committee shall work with public and privace
partnershjps to secure funding to 'ncrease the capacity of
Oklahoma's food security initiatives.
SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2008.
NR. H. B. NO. 2833 Page 4
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SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.- --.
R. H. B. NO. 2833 Page 5
11
Passed the House of Representatives the 21st day of May, 2008.
~l).
Presiding Off·c~se of
Representatives
Passed the Senate the 21st day of May, 2008.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
.Re.cei.ove.d .bfyJthe1Governor this 4otr'l- ~.1O~.
aL-Q ::50 O'clOCk:::P M.
B1!7~t\: I -~~--V~~---------
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma the 3~ day of
~[WJ...L......: , 20_ M,
ENR. H. B. NO. 2833 Page 6
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SOURCES
i Nord, Mark, Margaret Andrews, and Steven Carlson. Household Food Security in the United
States, 2008. ERR-830, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Econ. Res. ServoNovember 2009.
ii Nord, Mark, Margaret Andrews, and Steven Carlson. Household Food Security in the United
States, 2008. ERR-830, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Econ. Res. ServoNovember 2009.
iii Feeding America, Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2005-2007 (2009).
iv Survey information obtained by the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
v Oklahoma Department of Human Services, 2009 Annual Report (2009).
vi Derived using the Food Research and Action Center's SNAP Calculator available at
www.frac.orgldata.
vii This calculation is based on: (1) the assumption that every person is entitled to 3 meals per
day, 365 days a year; (2) the USDA's calculation of 1.28 pounds as the weight of an average
meal; (3) the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' calculation of $2.33 as the average retail cost of
food per pound; and (4) the USDA's 2006 calculation of $30 as the weekly per person food
expenditure in households at or below 130 percent of FPL, adjusted for inflation to $30.85 for
2007.
viii This analysis was derived from fiscal year 20'07 data on federal food program participation
and private food program distribution.
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